Twenty Tips for Developing Positive Relationships with Parents

In our busy day of juggling papers, lesson planning and managing sometimes more than a
hundred students, we can easily forget the group that could lend significant support in our
charge as teachers -- parents and families. Consider these tips for improving connections with
this valuable group:
1. Smile When You See Parents
Greet them. Most parents only occasionally interact with teachers so make sure that at least
90 percent of your encounters with them are positive, warm, and friendly. The impressions
left from fleeting encounters in the hallway last a long time.
2. Learn Their Names
(If you have a self-contained class.) Learn how they like to be addressed (Mr. ____? Seora?
By their first name?) and how to pronounce them correctly.
3. Declare Your Intention
Tell them that you want to partner with them, that you appreciate their support, and look
forward to working together.
4. Communicate Often and in Various Forms
Provide information about what's going on in your class (weekly would be ideal): what
students are learning, what they've accomplished, what you're excited about, what they're
excited about, and the learning and growth you're seeing. Suggest things that they might ask
their child about: "Ask them to tell you about what they learned last week about meal
worms," or "Ask them to read you the haiku they wrote."
5. Make a Positive Phone Call Home
If you have a self-contained class, call all homes within the first couple of weeks and then at
regular intervals throughout the year. If you teach many students, identify those students who
perhaps need a positive call home.
6. Lead with the Good News
Give positive praise first when calling parents or meeting with them to discuss a concern.
Every kid has something good about him/her. Find it. Share it. Then share your concern.
Adhere strictly to this rule.
7. Find a Translator
If you can't speak their language, seek a translator for at least one parent conference and/or
phone call. (For obscure languages, you can sometimes find a refugee center or other public
agency that can help). Reach out to those parents as well; do whatever you can to connect.
8. Your Language is Powerful
It communicates an awareness that there are many different kinds of families. Be careful not
to assume a mother is, or isn't married, or even that if she is married, she's married to a man.
Learn to ask open-ended questions and understand that sometimes parents/guardians might
not want to share some information.

9. Ask Questions about the Child

"What kinds of things does he enjoy doing outside of school? Who are the special people in
her life -- family or family friends? What do you think are her best characteristics? What was
he like as a little boy?" Demonstrate an interest in knowing your student.
10. Listen to Parents
Really listen. They know a whole lot about their kid.
11. Smile at the Child When talking to a parent in front of a child, smile and make eye
contact with the student to demonstrate that you care about him/her. Recognize what he/she
has done well in your class in front of the parents. Then share a concern, if you have one.
12. Invite Parents to Share
Distribute a survey at the beginning of the year (if parents don't read/write in English,
students can interview them and relay their answers). Find out what parents know about and
what skills they have. Invite them in especially if it connects the curriculum and content. Let
them share with you their cultural traditions, interests, passions, skills, knowledge.
13. Let Parents Know How They Can Help
Many want to help but especially as kids get older, parents aren't asked for help as often and
don't know what to do. There's always some way they can help in the classroom.
14. Be Very Specific
Provide ways parents can support their child at home: "You can help your child with her math
homework by asking her to explain how she got an answer," or "As you're reading stories at
night, ask your child to make predictions. This strengthens reading comprehension."
15. Be a Broker of Resources
If they share a concern, be prepared to point them to a direction where they can find help. If
you share a concern ("Your daughter spaces out and doesn't pay attention") be prepared to
suggest what the parents can do.
16. Explain Your Instructional Decisions
Take the time to do this and help them learn about the education system if they're not familiar
with it. Help them understand what you're doing and why.
17. Invite Parents to Participate in Making Some Decisions
Invite their input, give them information that will help them form an opinion, and listen to
their conclusions.
18. Thank Parents
Both individually and publicly for their support, perhaps in your weekly newsletter.
Recognize what they do to help your class and how it's impacting students.
19. Share Every Success
Let parents know what their child is doing well, what academic skills, social skills or
knowledge he's mastered.

20. Invite Parents to Celebrate and Break Bread Together

Communities are strengthened when people come together in celebration. Start the year with
a potluck. Share food and stories about food. We all bond over food.